Latest news with #SonyPicturesEntertainment
Toronto Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
REVIEW: ‘28 Years Later' deftly revives a franchise of the undead
Published Jun 19, 2025 • 4 minute read Spike (Alfie Williams) and Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) in "28 Years Later." Photo by Miya Mizuno / Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Entertainment Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Among its many other attributes, '28 Years Later' is a reminder of why Ralph Fiennes is a cultural object to be treasured. Rarely bothering with lead roles, the actor prefers instead to airdrop into films as a politely strange supporting presence, radiating intelligent lunacy tinged with regret. In Danny Boyle's new movie – a jump-start to a dormant franchise and the first in a new trilogy – Fiennes appears midway through, dyed yellow with iodine and apologetic about the tower of skulls in his backyard. And he's one of the movie's good guys. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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Create Account A follow-up to Boyle's galvanizing 2003 horror thriller '28 Days Later' and its 2007 sequel '28 Weeks Later,' '28 Years Later' (which at one point was supposed to be titled '28 Months Later,' but someone got distracted) asks questions surprisingly relevant to our current moment. Such as: Where does civilization go at a time of societal collapse? How do a people maintain normality? What place does kindness have in a world of rampage and insanity? These are deep and welcome thoughts for a zombie movie. Although, right, they're not technically zombies. As posited in the original film, a laboratory-made 'rage virus' has escaped, turning England into a mob of ravenous, kill-crazy cannibals, able to pass a fast-acting infection with a bite or even a drop of saliva. By the time of '28 Years Later,' all of Britain has become one giant quarantine zone, its waters patrolled by an international coalition and outposts of humanity clinging to the coastline like life rafts. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One such community is Holy Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway that surfaces only at low tide. The islanders have made a life for themselves as a village of hardy, inventive survivors who come ashore to forage and pick off the infected where they can. The film's hero, a 12-year-old boy named Spike (Alfie Williams), makes the journey with his father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in the early scenes of '28 Years Later,' marking his first kill with a bow and arrow. The ghoulies have evolved over the years into various types, including creepy crawling fatties who live on a diet of worms and strapping 'alphas' who like to rip off heads with their spines attached. In Williams's sweetly sensitive portrayal, Spike is brave but also terrified, and he checks out of a celebratory party on his return to look in on his mum, Isla (Jodie Comer of 'Killing Eve'), who's bedridden and delusional from a mystery ailment. The meat of the movie consists of the boy deciding to lead his mother toward a rumor of a doctor on the mainland, through a gantlet of naked, frothing beasties with the occasional assist from a random human (Edvin Ryding, quite funny as an exasperated Swedish soldier). Along the way, Spike and we learn new things about zombie obstetrics and related matters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Despite Boyle and co-screenwriter Alex Garland (writer-director of 'Ex Machina,' 'Civil War' and other provocations) returning to this property – and despite Boyle's usual bag of tricks with stutter-stop cinematography and gruesome flash-cuts – '28 Years Later' lacks the visceral shock and relentless pace of the first two films (the second was directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and written by a team that didn't include Boyle or Garland). Nor do the logistics of the film's reinvented universe bear much scrutiny. (What do the infected feed on if there are no normal humans left? Why are there still youngish ones after three decades?) Instead, the tone is one of finely wrought mourning punctuated by bursts of adrenaline, with the relationship between mother and son given real emotional weight. The camerawork by the great Anthony Dod Mantle ('Slumdog Millionaire'), a brooding score by the Scottish hip-hop trio Young Fathers and some gob-stopping Highlands locations all raise the movie above standard fright-night fare. And when Fiennes appears, '28 Years Later' becomes even more clearly a meditation on what comes after humanity's downfall – what memories we save and who we choose to love and remember. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There's still enough flesh-rending and severed body parts to sate the average horror fan. More crucially, '28 Years Later' has enough meat on its bones to serve as more than just a warmup for the next installment, due in 2026 and possibly featuring the original movie's star (and this one's executive producer) Cillian Murphy, who has gone on to bigger things in the intervening 22 years. You do get the sense that this property is just getting (re)started, though, with a cliff-hanger ending that doesn't leave the audience twisting in the wind, as such things often do, but instead introduces a character who threatens to take the next films into appealing looney-tunes territory. I'd tell you more, but then I'd have to eat you. — Ty Burr is the author of the movie recommendation newsletter Ty Burr's Watch List at — Three stars. Rated R. At theatres. Contains strong bloody violence, grisly images, graphic nudity, language and brief sexuality. 115 minutes. Rating guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars okay, one star poor, no stars waste of time. MMA NHL World Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sony Pictures sharpens India focus amid M&E shake-up
Synopsis Sony Pictures Entertainment is increasing its investment in the Indian media and entertainment sector, driven by economic and population growth. Following a failed merger with Zee Entertainment, SPNI is focusing on strengthening content production, digital platforms like SonyLIV, and distribution partnerships under new leadership. Recent investments include cricket rights and a revamp of Sony Entertainment Television's programming to boost viewership.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Dakota Johnson reveals what attracted her to Celine Song's Lucy in Materialists
In director Celine Song's much-anticipated film Materialists, Dakota Johnson takes on the role of Lucy — a sharp, savvy matchmaker caught in a romantic tangle. The film follows her journey as she navigates a love triangle between her charming ex (Chris Evans) and a mysterious new suitor (Pedro Pascal), all set against the backdrop of modern romance and ambition. While promoting the film globally, Dakota opened up about what drew her to the character and the complexities that made Lucy such a compelling role. 'After I read the script, I was immediately enticed by the layered inscrutability I saw in Lucy. I was drawn to the role because it's so complex. Lucy has so many different dynamics in the film, so there's many different Lucys. She's a bit of a different person with every other character — she's sort of a chameleon in that way. And then you're wondering which of her is the truth, which I thought was just so fun to play with.' Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Materialists in cinemas across India on June 13. Recently, Johnson revealed that her father, Don Johnson, cut her off financially after high school when she decided not to attend college. Johnson recalled that her father's ultimatum was clear: attend college and receive an allowance, or pursue acting and be on her own. "I didn't get in, and my dad cut me off because I didn't go to college," Johnson said, adding, "So, I started auditioning. I think I was 19 when I did The Social Network, and then little jobs and stuff after that," as quoted by E! News. Despite struggling financially, Johnson landed roles in notable films, including 'The Social Network' and the 'Fifty Shades' trilogy. Johnson opened up about the challenges she faced while trying to make it in Hollywood. "For a couple of years, it was hard to make money," she said, adding, "There were a few times when I'd go to the market and not have money in my bank account or not be able to pay rent, and I'd have to ask my parents for help," as quoted by E! News.
Qatar Tribune
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
beIN renews Sony Pictures dealacross MENA & Türkiye regions
Tribune News Network DOHA beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN), the leading global media group, has announced the extension of its long-standing content agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), securing exclusive multi-year rights to a broad portfolio of award-winning films and acclaimed television series for audiences across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Türkiye. The renewed partnership ensures that beIN will retain first and second window rights to a wide array of SPE's blockbuster films, iconic classics, and genre-defining TV series. Upcoming and recent titles expected to reach beIN audiences include I Know What You Did Last Summer, 28 Years Later, Until Dawn, and Karate Kid: Legends. Also part of the line-up are Venom: The Last Dance, Kraven the Hunter, Saturday Night, and I'm Still Here—the 2025 Academy Award winner for Best International Feature Film. Audiences can also look forward to the heartwarming Paddington in Peru. The agreement covers a variety of hit series as well. Fans will be able to enjoy complete seasons of Outlander (Seasons 1 to 8), The Good Doctor (Seasons 1 to 7), and Twisted Metal (Seasons 1 and 2). In addition, anime lovers will appreciate the inclusion of popular titles from Crunchyroll such as Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia (Seasons 1 and 2). In MENA, this content will be available in both Arabic and English across beIN's entertainment channels, beIN ON DEMAND, and its leading OTT platforms TOD and beIN CONNECT. In Türkiye, viewers can enjoy content in English and Turkish through Digiturk's entertainment channels, as well as on TOD and beIN CONNECT. Esra Özaral Altop, Chief Entertainment Content Officer at beIN MEDIA GROUP, said: 'We are proud to extend our valued relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment — a creative powerhouse that continues to captivate global audiences. This renewed agreement not only reflects our dedication to curating premium entertainment for viewers across MENA and Türkiye, but also marks a new chapter in strengthening our entertainment portfolio. From iconic blockbusters to genre-defining series, we remain committed to delivering bold, diverse, and unforgettable stories that resonate with every audience.'
Broadcast Pro
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
BeIN extends content deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment across MENA and Türkiye
As part of the renewed deal, beIN will continue to hold first and second window rights to several film titles from SPE's diverse library. BeIN Media Group has renewed its longstanding partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), securing exclusive multi-year rights to a wide selection of critically acclaimed films and television series for viewers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Türkiye. The extended agreement ensures beIN audiences will continue to enjoy top-tier content from SPE's extensive library following its theatrical release window. The renewed deal grants beIN first and second window rights to a range of SPE's hit titles, including blockbusters, award-winning classics, and popular TV series. Viewers in MENA will be able to access this content in both Arabic and English via beIN's entertainment channels, beIN On Demand, and its over-the-top (OTT) platforms TOD and beIN Connect. In Türkiye, the content will be offered in both English and Turkish through Digiturk's entertainment channels and the same streaming platforms. SPE's upcoming release slate features several hotly anticipated titles such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, 28 Years Later, Until Dawn, and Karate Kid: Legends. The agreement could also bring recent box office hits like Venom: The Last Dance, Kraven the Hunter, Saturday Night, the Oscar-winning I'm Still Here (Best International Feature Film, 2025), and Paddington in Peru to beIN's content lineup. The deal further encompasses a strong catalogue of popular television series, including all eight seasons of Outlander, seven seasons of The Good Doctor, both seasons of Twisted Metal, and beloved anime titles from Crunchyroll, such as Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia (Seasons 1–2). Commenting on the extended deal, Esra Özaral Altop, Chief Entertainment Content Officer, beIN Media Group, said: 'We are proud to extend our valued relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment — a creative powerhouse that continues to captivate global audiences. This renewed agreement not only reflects our dedication to curating premium entertainment for viewers across MENA and Türkiye, but also marks a new chapter in strengthening our entertainment portfolio. From iconic blockbusters to genre-defining series, we remain committed to delivering bold, diverse, and unforgettable stories that resonate with every audience.' Mark Young, EVP, Distribution & Networks, EMEA, Sony Pictures Television, added: 'Our passion at Sony Pictures is to bring great stories to great audiences, and our friends and partners at beIN remain the perfect home to bring this plethora of amazing content to audiences across MENA and Türkiye. We are thrilled that their wide audiences will continue to enjoy the wealth of content from SPE's future slate as well as our vast library of beloved classics, and we join them in being incredibly pleased to make this announcement today.' First signed in 2021, the renewed agreement builds on the longstanding collaboration between beIN and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
